Hi,
I recently began training BJJ here in Philly and have been playing around with it at work with some of my feistier co-workers. From training for a while in bagua, I tend to try and head in for "rou shou range" pretty quick which ends up in a clinch type position pretty quick as well. Earlier today, when "playing" with this pretty big guy at work, I got in too close and he picked me up at which point he could have chucked me into the fax machine and the trash can pretty easily (very tight quarters). My problem was that once I was up in the air (he wrapped both arms around my torso/waist and picked me up high almost overhead), I wasn't quite sure how to react. I latched on as best I could so he couldn't throw me too hard (he wouldn't anyway, my boss would have killed him). We ended up on the ground as when he put me down, I dragged him down with me; but what I am curious about is does anyone have any good experience/advice for this type of position? I'll ask my instructor tomorrow what he thinks, but I'm interested in what experiences you guys have with the big guy/little guy deal. I forgot to mention that I'm little; five-seven, one hundred forty lbs and the other guy is about six feet, two fifty or so. Thanks, and congratulations, Tim on getting your Black Belt.
Josh

Were you facing him with your arms free?

If so, (and since this is friendly and hitting him with an elbow is out of the question) try a cross-face. By twisting his head and forcing it back with your forearm/elbow, you destroy his spinal alignment, his balance, and his strength.

Hi,
Yeah, it was pretty much face to face, arms free. Thanks for the tip, we work together next week; so I'll give it a shot when the boss leaves.Another thing that I had (stupidly) not anticipated was that once on the ground; I could not wrap my legs around his waist due to his girth (I was on my back)so I just did the best that I could with my legs and choked him. It's funny, something so simple hadn't occured to me about groundwork with a bigger guy; but then again, I've not that much experience with a variety of people; my brother who I work with alot and most of the people in class are relatively small torso wise so that hadn't occured yet. I guess better there than trying that stuff on some guy who attacks me on the street and getting confused..... Thanks
Josh

You need to work on your pummeling. Jellyman's idea won't work. You'll just piss him off and he would break you in a real fight.

Basically if you get to that position against anyone that size you're pretty much f'ed.
Going to toe to toe is not very bagua like?

With arms free, Jellyman's tip is great. I did this before and the guy tried to tough it out--it was embarassing for him--and he was in such pain. Afterwards he tried to act like he was okay, but I think I put a hurt on him bad. I attribute his serious back injury he suffered from this altercation.

Pummeling?? Come on, Josh. See how many blows you can get off against a large, adrenaline-pumped assailant before he smashes your head against the pavement in an instant. What are you going to hit, eyes or vital points with your own adrenaline affecting accuracy while he ducks and turns his head with his eyes squeezed shut (he knows where you are by feel)? Besides, I thought we were talking a friendly match.

Hi,
Hey, as Eddie Murphy said in "Raw", "wasn't me." that said anything about pummeling. If I were going to pummel there; I'd try using the fax machine. You guys are probobly right about just being screwed at that point in the fight. I just figured I'd see what ideas were floating around about that sort of thing. My luck in the situation was that since it was a friendly match, he put me down and I got to choke him as we went to the ground. The big guy/little guy thing is always fun for talking about. Thanks.
Josh

Well, not necessarily screwed, jellyman pointed out a real option. People unfamiliar with grappling think it is "muscling" an opponent, but actually, it is mostly leverage and balance. I think the idea is that if you have to do any kind of fighting, one is screwed to begin with.

Hi,

pummeling is a positioning drill from wrestling in which you vie to get both your arms under the arms of your partner.

Fax machines make this drill harder.

I'll be back..

the terminologator

Kenneth Sohl, you moron. Please know your terminologies before you make uninformed comments. It really shows your lack of knowledge and proves that you shouldn't be giving advice. Knuckle head.

Thanks for setting Kenneth straight Terminologator.

I don't know wrestling terminology, but I used to be well read and recall in old books the word refering to a barrage of blows.

Maybe you should study more Mark. Now you know.

Just a thought:

One entry found for pummel.

Main Entry: pum·mel
Pronunciation: 'p&-m&l
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): -meled also -melled; -mel·ing also pum·mel·ling /'p&-m&-li[ng], 'p&m-li[ng]/
Etymology: alteration of pommel
Date: 1548
: POUND, BEAT


One entry found for pummel.

Entry Word: pummel
Function: verb
Text: Synonyms BEAT 1, batter, belabor, buffet, drub, hammer, pelt, pound, thrash, wallop


But hey, lets not let the English language get in the way.

Like the Terminologator said, In wrestling arts, pummeling always refers to close body arm sparring with the goal of getting the opponent in a double underhook position (a front, underarm "bearhug").

Josh,
Did you try wrapping your leg around the outside of the guy's leg so he could not swing your hips and legs up to the side? After you leg snake, the standard (and very effective) basic wrestling counter is to push under the opponent's chin with both hands ( palms under his chin, pushing his head back). Even the very strong will lose their gripping power when their head is bent far enough back.

What if he just slams you down and falls on you? That would suck.

How about the old ear drum busting double palms to the side of the head? It always works in the movies.

http://www.myrallyteam.idysk.com/download/bjjvsmt.mpg

follow the link.

Hi,
Thanks for the idea's. Tim, I didn't have the presence of mind to wrap my leg around his; but I like the idea and will give it a shot when I work with the guy next. Thanks.
Josh

Meynard, Josh's reply proves I was correct in his usage of the term. PhantomMenace, that tactic is best employed against Gorns.

Kenneth, Josh didn't know what he was talking about either. It's the blind leading the blind. Does that make you right? No.

Just let the fat guy squeeze the sheet out of you and the smell will make him bolt.